Mosque attacks  |  22 Mar 2019

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One week on from the terror attacks that claimed 50 lives, thousands of people have come together to mark the tragedy with silence and prayers.

All New Zealanders were invited to join a call to prayer as a show of support for the Muslim community following the 15 March terror attacks in Christchurch. 

Muslim worshippers during the Jumu'ah Friday prayers in South Hagley Park.

Muslim worshippers during the Jumu'ah prayers in South Hagley Park.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in South Hagley Park, near the Al Noor Masjid on Deans Ave, with many women wearing head scarves in a gesture of solidarity.

When Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived, dressed completely in black and wearing a hijab, she said, "New Zealand mourns with you. We are one."

The Muslim call to prayer, which was broadcast live nationwide, resonated across the park and then at 1.32pm the crowd stilled as across New Zealand a two minute silence was observed.  

About 5000 Muslim worshippers attended the Jumu’ah (Friday prayers) led by the Al Noor Imam Gamal Fouda, who was at the mosque when the attack happened last Friday. 

Another 15,000 members of the crowd listened in respectful silence as the Imam gave a sermon about the power of unity and compassion in the face of hatred.

Community leaders, including Dr Mustafa Farouk, President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Ūpoko of Ngāi Tūāhuriri Dr Te Maire Tau, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai, were invited by the Muslim community to be part of the official proceedings. About 30 foreign dignatories were also present.

Extracts from Iman Gamal Fouda's first sermon

  • Last Friday I stood in this mosque and saw the hatred and the rage in the eyes of the terrorist who killed and matyred 50 innocent people, wounded 42 and broke the hearts of millions around the world.
  • Today from the same place I look out and I see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders and human beings from across the globe, that fill the hearts of millions more who are not with us physically, but in spirit.
  • This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart with an evil ideology that has torn the world apart. But instead we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable, and that the world can see in us an example of love and unity. We are broken hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined not to let anyone divide us. We are determined to love one another, and to support each other.
  • This evil ideology of white supremacy did not strike us first, yet it struck us hardest. The number of people killed is not ordinary, but the solidarity in New Zealand is extra ordinary.
  • They were the best of us, taken from us on the best of days, in the best of places and performing the best of actions. And they are not just martyrs of Islam, but they are martyrs for this nation.
  • Your martyrdom is a new life for New Zealand and a chance of prosperity for many. 
  • Our assembly here, with all the shades of diversity is a testament of our joint humanity. We are here in our hundreds and thousands unified for one purpose - that hate will be undone, and love will redeem us.

Extracts from his second sermon:

  • We call upon the Governments around the world to bring an end to hate speech and the politics of fear. The martyrdom of 50 innocent people and the injury of 42 last Friday did not come overnight, it was the result of the anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim rhetoric by some political leaders, some media agencies and others.
  • Last week's event is proof and evidence to the entire world that terrorism has no colour, has no race and has no religion. This rise of white supremacy and right-wing extremism is a great global threat to mankind and this must end now!